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Gloucestershire Business News

Forest of Dean councillor on trial

A Forest of Dean district councillor has gone on trial facing eight charges of rape and one of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour over an 18-month period.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Ian Whitburn, 59, of Newland Street, Coleford, sat bolt upright in the dock as he heard the charges read out to the jury of seven men and five women.

Prosecutor James Tucker said Mr Whitburn's public persona was of a 'very sociable and good natured' man - but that was very different to his behaviour towards one woman.

"He is alleged to have pushed this woman's friends away from her, making her isolated, and this had a substantial effect on her daily life's activities," said the prosecutor.

The jury was told that the alleged sex offences came to light when the woman reported to the police that Mr Whitburn had run her off the road in his car.

Mr Whitburn said during his police interview that the accusations were not true.

Peter Binder, defending, said: "The woman alleges that Mr Whitburn owed her a debt and she wrote to him asking for him to settle the amount he owed her.

"But when this was not forthcoming she took him to court. This became a long drawn-out affair, after which she received very little in recompense.

"Mr Whitburn states that these charges are the ultimate revenge of a woman scorned. He denies all the charges in their entirety. This is a case of one person's word against another."

Mr Whitburn was first elected as a Forest of Dean District councillor in 2011 to represent the Mitcheldean and Drybook ward.

The trial continues and is expected to conclude on Friday, July 1.

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